When do you think lockdown will be relaxed?

[LolaLollypop]

Ireland have given a date of 3rd May, France 11 May. What about us?

And which rules do you think will be relaxed first? Personally, I am really hoping they allow slightly larger groups of people to meet (I.e friends and family). I'm not too bothered about pubs and restaurants but I'm really missing seeing family & friends.

I really hope it's 3rd May for us (providing necessary criteria are met).

May, judging by France and Italy.

Thankyou @Flaxmeadow I was going to ask when Italy implemented there lockdown measures. Do you know when Spain implemented there’s too? As of yesterday Spain have allowed some people to go back to work (I believe construction sites).

A lot of people have suggested that this virus will peak again during autumn/winter time. I’m no expert but my cousin is a paramedic and she’s been told this virus lives between the temperatures of 20-25 degrees. Again, don’t quote me on that as I could be wrong but if that is the case then that would mean this virus won’t survive during winter? I’m not saying it will die off completely but it would mean less cases.

I’m looking forward to this Thursday when they announce what the next steps are. I know lockdown measures will very much stay in place and perhaps become stricter but I’m really hoping they can give us something to look forward too. Maybe a date in which they can look at relaxing things for example. That will also encourage people to comply with the current restrictions.

she’s been told this virus lives between the temperatures of 20-25 degrees.

Untrue, or it wouldn't be spreading in countries with a hotter climate.

I think an announcement is expected extending til 7 may. I expect things will start to be relaxed after that, assume reopening of non essential shops. Hopefully schools back at beginning of June. Really don't know, I guess there will have to be a variety of continuing measures to contain the effects on the NHS, but once all the nightingale hospitals are operational/we have more ventilators hopefully capacity will be enough for us to start to rebuild. I can't see that being further lockdowns/school closures, and if it is then the gov aren't doing enough to equip us now so that we can carry on later?

Zzz...Ok pedantic peeps... I'll add the disclaimer...

Assuming the virus figures are coming down, lockdown is working etc, relevant powers are happy etc etc... lockdown in Ireland and France probably won't be extended again past those dates.

In relation to Ireland, we've been told the R-0 is approaching 1 but needs to be "well below 1" before they'll loosen restrictions.

They have also said the testing backlog is due to be cleared by the end of this week. They are then planning to test everyone with symptoms, get the results back quickly and trace contacts. Having this system and capacity in place is also part of the decision to loosen restrictions.

So it's not a given that our lockdown will be over on 3 May but they are working on a plan.

Does anyone know the criteria in the UK for lockdown to be ended?

I think we might see some restrictions lifted around mid/end May as government will want to get the economy moving. Given we have half term, it makes sense to start after half term, especially if we're not down to zero.

Beginning of may would be nice but realistically I can't see it happening before end of May.

@Mrsjayy yes it is because people get so annoyed! Lol

Mid May

Probably will be various phases of release. More jobs (manufacturing/construction will start back in 3 weeks), primary schools after half term 1st June. Events and social gatherings later in the summer if at all.

Thankyou @Flaxmeadow I was going to ask when Italy implemented there lockdown measures. Do you know when Spain implemented there’s too? As of yesterday Spain have allowed some people to go back to work (I believe construction sites).

YW

This is what I have in my calender

First cases of an unidentified pneumonia/cause 31st December

First death China 11th January
Wuhan lockdown 23rd January.
First confirmed case UK (York) 31st January. (Italy same date)

First death in Europe (France) 14th February
Surge in cases in Lombardy, Italy 23rd February
WHO raise risk to "very high" 28th February

Spain reports surge of cases 3rd March
First death UK 5th March
Italy lockdown 9th March
WHO declares pandemic 11th March
Spain lockdown 14th or 15th ? March
France lockdown 17th March
UK lockdown 23rd March

I dont think they'll be any relaxing of measures until after the first May bank holiday.

I'm hoping schools will go back after half term, ds is starting school in september and has an ehcp and I'm worried about his development and readiness for school.

I dont care about visiting coffee shops, pubs, large public events etc but other than schools open I'd like to see friends and family in small groups permitted.

I think end of May. Not complete end, just starting to relax things. In terms of order in which things reopen:

Shops first would be my guess, as they can be controlled somewhat. Like the supermarkets are doing, they can limit how many can come in, they can make the floor. That will get a significant portion of people back into work and people will start spending money.

Open air spaces also one of the first, so beaches, parks etc.

Second, Controlled in terms of people, but services like opticians, hairdressers, nail places, beauty salons etc next. Again controlled, this can be done by appointments at most places.

Then leisure centres, swimming pools etc. Again, limiting capacity (which they already do but tightening it a bit more)

Lastly - restaurants, pubs, cinemas - where distancing is probably the hardest.

Holiday parks, tourist attractions, the ability to go on holiday.....I have no idea. It’s all guess work

This question and when do you think the schools will re-open seems to be every other thread. I genuinely don't understand them, the dates aren't open to public vote, it will be when the government decides taking into account all kinds of factors.

I know lots of us are bored in lockdown but what is the purpose of reams of posts of people saying the same thing day after day after day?

Oh I forgot! Before anything opens I think the first thing will be about being allowed to mix with people from outside your home. That will be the first thing lifted I would have thought. I can still see a gathering limit for a while but to see family and friends is what most people are pining for.

Mid May- partial relaxation
Schools back after the May half term

Wave 1 relax around 15 May. Schools back for 5 weeks from about 1 June then Lockdown2 & wave 2 (just in time for the best weather, woohoo). Repeated Lockdowns & waves after that.

Tips need to open first.

I can't see it extending far beyond the end of May simply because the lockdown will collapse. Longer than 2 months and people simply won't comply...

I've mentally written off April and May and am hoping for things to relax in June. Seems like being able to see friends and family in small groups is a popular option, I'd love that too but I suspect they're going to prioritise things that help the economy so perhaps some shops and cafes will reopen under strict conditions.

@PleasantVille I think everyone knows it’s not open for public vote. OP’s question was “when do you think”. Personally, it’s something I search everyday as for my mental health I need a rough date in mind for something to look forward too, otherwise I will actually go insane. It’s nice to think about when things will slowly start to get back to “normal” instead of thinking about the negatives all the time, in my opinion anyway. But I’m fully aware that it’s not our decision.

Who thinks we have reached peak? Or is the worst still yet to come?

@PleasantVille because coronavirus and the lockdown are pretty much all we have to discuss at the moment! I second the PP who said that mentally, I need to have some end date in sight. Whether that gets changed as it gets nearer, so be it. But I'm encouraged by other people suggesting it could be sometime in May.

There will probably be a hundred more posts like this too so if they bother you... Just carry on scrolling

After the bank holiday at the end of May. There will be too many bank holiday twats strolling around otherwise.

I think we all need to realise that the government will tell us when it’s ready to be lifted

End of May for most things, possibly a week earlier. We will need schools back to allow people to work properly.

Manufacturers have already been told to get back to work - I work for a (very!) non-essential one that never completely shut anyway. They are getting some more people in tomorrow, and the rest of the workforce will follow over the next two weeks.

Many businesses didn't shut anyway - they didn't have to as long as they could work safely. There 's plenty of things that can never be done at home.

*I think we all need to realise that the government will tell us when it’s ready to be lifted 

@fourpeasinapod*

How patronising!!
Of course we realise that, we weren't going to put all the suggested dates in a hat and pull one out you know.

However, speculating about it helps some people to make sense of it and get a sense of predicted timescales. If you don't like this sort of thread, go elsewhere.